chapter ii
. verse 15, _And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the Temple_; this prying Divine makes these discoveries, "I discover," says he, "in the first place, that in the Church or Temple, a scourge may be made, _And when he had made a scourge_. Secondly, that it may be made use of, _he drove them all out of the Temple_." And it was a great chance that he had not discovered a third thing; and that is, that the scourge was made, before it was made use of.
Upon _Matthew_ iv. 25, _And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee_, "I discover," says he, "when JESUS prevails with us, we shall soon leave our Galilees! I discover also," says he, "a great miracle, viz.: that the way after JESUS being straight, that such a multitude should follow him."
_Matthew_ v. 1. _And seeing the multitude, he went up into a mountain_. Upon this, he discovers several very remarkable things. First, he discovers that "CHRIST went _from the multitude_." Secondly, that "it is safe to take warning at our eyes, for _seeing the multitude, he went up_." Thirdly, "it is not fit to be always upon the plains and flats with the multitude: but, _if we be risen with CHRIST, to seek those things that are above_."
He discovers also very strange things, from the latter part of the fore-mentioned verse. _And when he was set, his disciples came unto him_. 1. CHRIST is not always in motion, _And when he was set_. 2. He walks not on the mountain, but sits, _And when he was set_. From whence also, in the third place, he advises people, that "when they are teaching they should not move too much, for that is to be _carried to and fro with every wind of doctrine_." Now, certainly, never was this place of Scripture more seasonably brought in.
Now, Sir, if you be for a very short and witty discovery, let it be upon that of _St. Matthew_ vi. 27. _Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his stature?_ The discovery is this, that "whilst the disciples were taking thought for a cubit; CHRIST takes them down a cubit lower!"
Notable also are two discoveries made upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 1. 1. That "CHRIST went down, as well as went up. _When he came down from the mountain_." 2. That "the multitude did not go 'hail fellow well met!' with him, nor before him; _for great multitudes followed him_."
I love, with all my heart, when people can prove what they say. For there be many that will talk of their Discoveries and spiritual Observations; and when all comes to all, they are nothing but pitiful guesses and slender conjectures.
In like manner, that was no contemptible discovery that was made upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 19. _And a certain Scribe came and, said, "Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest."_ "A _thou_ shall be followed more than a _that_. _I will follow_ thee _wheresoever thou goest_."
And, in my opinion, that was not altogether amiss, upon _St. Matthew_ xi. 2. _Now when JOHN had heard in prison the works of CHRIST, he sent two of his disciples_. The discovery is this. That "it is not good sending single to CHRIST, _he sent two of his disciples_."
Some also, possibly may not dislike that upon _St. Luke_ xii, 35. _Let your loins be girded_. "I discover," says he, "there must be a holy girding and trussing up for heaven."
But I shall end all, with that very politic one that he makes upon _St. Matthew_ xii. 47. _Then said one unto him "Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee." But he answered and said, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?"_ "I discover now," says he, "that JESUS is upon business."
Doubtless, this was one of the greatest Discoverers of Hidden Mysteries, and one of the most Pryers into Spiritual Secrets that ever the world was owner of. It was very well that he happened upon the godly calling, and no secular employment: or else, in good truth! down had they all gone! Turk! Pope! and Emperor! for he would have discovered them, one way or another, every man!
Not much unlike to these wonderful Discoverers, are they who, choosing to preach on some Point in Divinity, shall purposely avoid all such plain Texts as might give them very just occasion to discourse upon their intended subject, and shall pitch upon some other places of Scripture, which no creature in the world but themselves, did ever imagine that which they offer to be therein designed. My meaning, Sir, is this.
Suppose you have a mind to make a sermon concerning Episcopacy, as in the late times [_the Commonwealth_] there were several occasions for it, you must, by no means, take any place of Scripture that proves or favours that kind of Ecclesiastical Government! for then the plot will be discovered; and the people will say to themselves, "We know where to find you! You intend to preach about Episcopacy!" But you must take _Acts_,
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